Photo: VNA

Covid daily caseload falls sharply to 3,513 in Vietnam

The prolonged coronavirus outbreak has constantly shown signs of waning in Vietnam, with just 3,513 cases detected over the past 24 hours, down by approximately 1,000 cases compared to the previous day. As many as 21,398 Covid-19 patients were given all-clear during the day, the Ministry of Health said in its 6 pm coronavirus update on October 10.

Notably, Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest coronavirus hotspot, recorded 1,067 new cases, a fall of 595 cases from a day ago. Elsewhere, An Giang reported only 128 new cases, down by 180 cases. Meanwhile, Dong Nai, Can Tho, and Tra Vinh saw their daily counts increase by 87, 23, and 21 cases to 662, 41, and 29 cases respectively.

Ha Nam remains the largest coronavirus hotspot in the north, registering 22 new cases and raising its tally of infections to 620. Of the total, 150 patients were workers. Also in the north, the border province of Ha Giang detected 18 new cases.

Photo: Zing News

Hanoi agrees to resumption of air routes to Da Nang, HCM City

The People’s Committee of Hanoi has agreed with the Ministry of Transport on the reopening of air routes connecting the capital city with the major cities of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Accordingly, commercial flights between Hanoi-HCM City and Hanoi-Da Nang were resumed on October 10 with one return flight per day at half of the capacity until October 20.

Hanoi has proposed that the Ministry of Transport continue to suspend railway passenger transport to the capital city, as well as flights on other routes to the capital city's Noi Bai airport. The city will continue to evaluate the pandemic risks based on COVID-19 vaccine coverage in order to make further adjustments to transport plans.

In order to ensure safety, Hanoi also proposed a number of measures for passengers arriving at Noi Bai International Airport. The passengers must show a certificate of full vaccination with the second dose taken at least 14 days and no more than 12 months before departure time or a Covid-19 recovery certificate issued within 6 months before departure time. They should have a negative Covid test certificate issued within 72 hours before departure time while implementing the Ministry of Health’s 5K message. These passengers will be subject to seven-day quarantine at designated sites or hotels in Hanoi and pay for all quarantine and testing fees. After undergoing the mandatory quarantine period, these passengers will have to self-monitor their health at home for another week.

Photo: VN Express

HCM City starts tourism recovery scheme by tours to “green areas”

Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Tourism is coordinating with travel firms and relevant agencies to further expand the pilot organization of tours to local historical sites with participants being people working on the frontline of the fight against the pandemic in the city. It also plans to open tours to “green areas” in an effort to gradually resume tourism activities in the locality.

On September 30, Saigon Tourism Corporation (Saigontourist) organized a trip for more than 150 medical workers who are joining Covid-19 prevention activities in District 6, to visit Cu Chi Tunnel, an underground base of residents and revolutionary army during the anti-America war, in Cu Chi district, 70km north-west of HCM City.

Regarding a roadmap to revive the tourism market, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said the local tourism sector plans to step by step resume tourism activities in a sustainable direction in the remaining months of 2021 and early 2022, focusing on ensuring safety for tourists and laborers working in the sector.

Photo: VN Express

HCMC to reopen interprovincial bus services next month

Ho Chi Minh City plans to reopen fixed-route buses from Nov. 1 with limited frequency, requiring passengers and drivers to comply with Covid-19 prevention protocols. The municipal transportation department has sent a three-phase draft plan on the reopening to other localities.

From Nov. 1-15, only 3-5 trips can be operated per day on a route, in general. However, routes with a frequency of more than 100 trips per day in pre-pandemic times will be allowed to operate 15 trips per day. The number of passengers on buses must not exceed 50 percent of capacity and social distancing should be maintained. In the second phase, from Nov. 15-30, the frequency on these routes can be increased to between 10 and 30 trips per day, respectively. From Nov. 30 until the end of the year, the transportation department will suggest routes that can be operated at a maximum of 50 percent of their old frequency.

All bus drivers must be fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 within six months of a trip, and have a negative result from test done within 72 hours before driving. Vehicles must also meet safety transportation criteria. The draft plan also requires passengers traveling from HCMC to have received at least one dose of Covid vaccine 14 days prior or recovered from Covid-19 within six months. The passengers should also have a negative result from Covid test done within 72 hours. People coming to the city will only need a negative test result. All passengers will need to make health declarations and follow social distancing rules.

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